Winter Garden May Send Officers To Help Oakland

September 13, 1987|By Will Wellons of The Sentinel Staff

OAKLAND — Depleted by the illness of Sgt. Ed Nelson, the town's two-man police force will get some help from neighboring Winter Garden police if a tentative mutual-aid agreement is approved by Winter Garden officials.

The agreement, approved by the Oakland town council last week, would allow Winter Garden officers to answer calls in Oakland if the town requests assistance.

Off-duty Winter Garden officers could work patrols in the smaller city, the agreement said. Winter Garden investigators also can be used in Oakland's criminal investigations.

Oakland Police Chief Hueld Morrow requested the help because he occasionally needs extra patrol officers to make up for the absence of Nelson. Nelson has not worked for two months because of lung cancer.

''I think it is great,'' Morrow said about Winter Garden's assistance. ''It could really help us out. Of course we have always worked closely with Winter Garden, so I don't see any problems.''

Oakland normally has two full-time officers and four reserve officers.

Oakland is currently paying its reserves overtime to make up for Nelson's absence.

Nelson, who returned last week from his second series of chemotherapy treatments in Houston, hopes to returns to work in a part-time capacity soon, he said.

Winter Garden Police Chief Jimmie Yawn said the agreement does not mean Winter Garden officers will take over regular patrols in Oakland. Winter Garden officers would be used only in a crisis.

''We might send a man over if they need it,'' Yawn said. ''But it won't be a regular patrol.''

The mutual-aid agreement also will help Winter Garden, Yawn said, because Oakland officers will be able to assist when there is a major traffic accident on State Road 50.

Yawn said the aid agreement would take effect after it is reviewed by the city attorney and approved by the city commision.